@SidekicksPicks College Basketball Play of the Day - 3/8

Southern Mississippi will take on UTSA in round 1 of the Conference USA tournament. Both teams have not been respectable in their conference, but there is some value in this matchup. Southern Mississippi has an overall record of 6-25, 1-17 in conference. Their only conference win was against UTSA in January 74-73. The second time these two faced each other, UTSA won 98-79 in overtime. UTSA has been a little better with an overall record of 10-21, 3-15 in conference. They are coming off of a recent victory vs Rice, where they won 82-71.

Southern Mississippi are terrible in just about everything they do. They rank mid 200’s to 300’s in every statistical category. They score 64.5 ppg and give up 74.9 ppg. They rank 329 in Kenpom’s adjusted offensive efficiency. They struggle to shoot from the perimeter and have a high turnover rate. Southern Mississippi has also been plagued by injuries and may be without some key players in tonight’s matchup. Tyler Stephenson is listed questionable for tonight and he is one of their better players, averaging 14.5 ppg and 7.7 rebounds.

UTSA is in a similar situation as Southern Mississippi, in terms of statistical rankings. The one advantage that they will have today is their ability to offensive rebound. They are fairly decent at it and rank 75th in the nation, grabbing 34.2 offensive boards a game.

• Southern Mississippi is 0-10 in their last 10 games
• Southern Mississippi is 1-4 ats in their last 5 games vs UTSA
• Southern Mississippi is 1-4 in their last 5 games vs UTSA
• UTSA is 6-1 ats in their last 7 games
• UTSA is 4-1 in their last 5 Tuesday games

Both teams are not very good, but UTSA is slightly better. They have the upper hand in experience, especially with Southern Mississippi banged up. UTSA has been successful against Southern Mississippi in the past and I think they will advance today!